Thomas Edward Chapman

Story:
Thomas Edward Chapman was born in Lambeth, London, on 9 Sep 1873 (though this conflicts with the date of 22 Sep 1871 per the 1939 Register) the alleged son of Thomas Edward Chapman.  (N.B. Very little information on his early life has been found.)  He enlisted with the Royal Marines Light Infantry on 9 Jun 1892 as a Private (Service No. 14136).   He married Annie Lavinia Elliott at St. Mary's Church, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset. on 8 Jul 1908.  By 1911 Thomas was registered living at 11 St. Ann's Crescent, Forton, Gosport, Hampshire, but still serving in the Marines.  There is little known about his service or medal entitlement during WW1 but his Absent Voters List 1918 record shows his address as Haines Farm, Motcombe.  It is almost certain he would have been entitled to the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. By the time of the 1921 Census he had left the Marines and was living at 49 Avenue Road, Alverstoke, Gosport, described as Assistant Superintendent of Insurance for the Liverpool & Victoria Friendly Society. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 'Claremont', Fareham Road, Gosport, Hampshire, now described as an Insurance Commission Agent, Royal Marine Pensioner and Special Constable. He died on 9 Apr 1951 when he was living at 'Claremont', Bridgemary, Fareham, Hampshire. According to Probate records his remaining estate went to his wife, Annie.